Mammoplasty: Breast Reduction Surgery in Thailand

Breast Reduction Thailand – Methods, Procedures and Recovery

Unlike a breast lift, Reduction Mammoplasty (more commonly known as Breast Reduction) aims to reduce breast size, including excess skin, breast glands, and fat. This surgery can help people with overly large breasts who experience discomforts such as neck pain, shoulder pain, difficulty in finding the right clothes and decreased confidence. Breast reduction in Thailand can also help address issues, such as sagging breasts, and boost body image.

Types of Breast Reduction

1. Keyhole-scar Breast Reduction 

The incision is made around the areola and down towards the breast crease. This type of technique is performed by plastic surgeons on patients with breasts that aren’t too large. 

2. Inverted T-scar Breast Reduction

In this technique, the surgeon makes an incision in the shape of an inverted T-scar to remove the excess fat, skin and breast tissue. The T-scar technique can be used on breasts of any size but it does leave a more noticeable scar, hence it is generally used in extreme cases where breasts are really saggy and of a big size.

The breast reduction surgical procedure usually takes from 3 to 5 hours depending on the breast size. Before the surgery, the surgeon and the patient should agree on the desired results and expectations of this procedure. 

Good Breast Reduction surgery candidates are:

• Patients who feel uncomfortable about their breast shape or size.
• Patients who have realistic surgical expectations
• Patients who are in good physical health.
• Patients who suffer from neck, shoulder, and back pain due to the weight of oversized breasts.
• Patients who suffer from bra strap shoulder indentations.

Breast Reduction Surgery Preparation

Prior to the Breast Reconstruction Surgery, patients should: 

• Patients should have a consultation with the surgeon to assess the surgical goals. Labs and a medical evaluation is also required. 
• Patients must stop smoking and drinking alcohol at least 2 weeks before the procedure.
• All blood-thinning medications and like Aspirin, Ibuprofen, hormones, and some herbal supplements must be stopped 2 weeks before the surgery.

Breast Reduction Surgery Procedure

The technique utilized for breast reductions will be determined by the patient’s aesthetic needs and the amount of reduction that is required.  ‍ The steps of the surgery are the following:‍
The steps of the surgery are the following:

• General anesthesia
• Incision (either keyhole or inverted T-scar as pre-determined with the surgeon)
• Removal of the fat, breast tissue and excess skin.
• Reshaping breast to ensure balance.
• Closing of the incision.

Breast reduction surgery post-operative care

To minimize discomfort after the surgery, patients are recommended to follow these steps:

• Wear a compression bra or a surgical bra. The support bra helps keep the breast in the correct position, prevents fluid accumulation, and helps control the swelling throughout the healing process.
• Slightly elevate the torso while sleeping to help control the swelling.
• A wound dressing will be placed on the stitched area for 7 days post-surgery.
• Take pain relievers only when needed. The surgeon may also recommend medical treatments following your operation.
• Keep the incision dry and clean.
• Stitches will be removed 7 days after the operation.
• Avoid strenuous exercise and any high-impact physical activity, including heavy lifting, for a minimum of two weeks.
• Avoid salty food and maintain a healthy diet to prevent the swelling from worsening
• Avoid any significant weight loss to prevent dropping breasts.
• Ensure you keep all the follow-up appointments with the surgeon. 

Potential Risks/Complications of Breast Reduction

Some potential complications include:

• Keloid scars from incisions
• Allergic reaction to general anesthetic
• Bleeding
• Itching
• Poor healing
• Soreness
• Asymmetry
• Shortness of breath
• A decrease in sensation or loss of sensation
• Potential infection (if patients feel any warmth or see any redness in the breast with fever, it may be a sign of infection and they should contact the surgeon right away)
• Capsular contracture if the Breast Lifting surgery is also done with a Breast Augmentation procedure  (this may require another surgery)

Patients who observe any complications during the healing process should immediately seek medical services.

Breast reduction surgery recovery

Recovery time is similar to that of the Breast Reduction surgery. There is usually minimal discomfort, although patients may experience pain, swelling, stiffness and bruising. It may take several weeks or even months for patients to see the final results and for everything to settle down, including potential numbness or tingling sensations around the incision site.

Patients may start seeing the surgery outcomes once the swelling begins to subside around six weeks following the procedure. Typically, the final result can be seen two months after the procedure.